Student Profiles

Nineteen year old Alun Day studied Business and Management at Merthyr Tydfil College.

After completing his A-levels in business and ICT, Alun could have gone straight to University, but he felt that he would prefer to ease into it gradually. Alun was not completely confident with his ability in maths, a crucial part of business management, but found that he was well supported on a one-to-one basis by his tutors and his confidence in that particular area has increased.

His course ran over three days a week, so he was able to balance his work and personal life really easily. The highlight of his course was the placement he undertook in his second year. He was placed as a business floor assistant, and found that he was able to gain insight into all the aspects of business he was studying, showing how what he was learning could be applied practically in the workplace.

Alun says that he would recommend studying higher education to anyone. Although there were challenges along the way, he says that it was all worth it and he was supported in his needs every step of the way.

Lesley Blackburn-Jones studied BA (hons) Management & Business. She used to work for Business Eye and the MOD, but unfortunately she was taken ill and couldn't continue on working.

Lesley initially completed the HNC Business Studies, then went on to do a Foundation Degree before 'topping ?up' with a year at the University of Glamorgan.

She achieved a first class degree and is hoping to study for a Masters qualification. She says that she sometimes found it difficult but that she was able to self-motivate herself on to achieving her goal. She believes that you are never too old for education.

Lesley says ?I'm very proud and I think this is a huge achievement for us all. We could not have done it however without the support of our tutors; they were very approachable and not at all intimidating as I had thought they might be"

Gerwyn Lewis is 38 years old and studied a Foundation Degree at Merthyr Tydfil College before 'topping-up' to a BA (hons) in Management and Business at the University of Glamorgan.

He works for Rhondda Cynon Taf Borough Council and has been recently promoted. He believes that this is partially due to his enhanced qualifications and the skills he has gained through studying.

Gerwyn thought that he was not very academic in school, but feels that the life skills he has gained have helped him in his studies. He says that it has been hard studying and working, but his employer has been very supportive and understanding, even funding the course for him. He says that it was all worth it in the end.

Gerwyn says ?I would encourage anyone to give studying a go as you don't know if you can do it until you try?.

Rachel Thomas studied a Foundation Degree at Merthyr Tydfil College before 'topping-up' to a BA (hons) in Management and Business at the University of Glamorgan.

Rachel had always wanted to teach and did her course in order to prove to herself that she had an aptitude for learning. She achieved a first class honours degree which she funded herself.

Rachel now hopes to build a new career for herself in teaching, and is going on to do a PGCE at Coleg Morgannweg. She hopes that in this way, she can help to encourage others into education.

Carol Peeke studied a Foundation Degree at Merthyr Tydfil College before 'topping-up' to a BA (hons) in Management and Business at the University of Glamorgan.

As a mother of twins, Carol felt that the convenience of studying locally was crucial to her, as she has been able to juggle work, family and study effectively.

She works as a manager for a children's charity in Aberdare and feels that her study has helped her develop in the work-place. She has developed a taste for studying and hopes that after a well deserved break she can go on and complete a Masters degree.

Carol feels that studying at the college has played a big role in building her self-confidence and preparing her for university study.